Cao Bang Map

Located in the Far North – East of Vietnam, Cao Bang is a mountainous province , 281km far away from Hanoi and stays close to the border with China. The topography of Cao Bang is complicated so inter-transportation is limited, people mainly use motorcycles to move and also save the energy.

The cool weather combining with beautiful sightseeing of nature and forests bring an advantage to develop ecotourism in Cao Bang . The famous sites include: Thang Hen Mountain, Lake in Tra Linh, Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave in Trung Khanh. Ban Gioc Waterfall, which locates near the border between Vietnam and China, probably is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam with the height of thirty meters. It is separated into three falls by rocks and trees. The waterfalls make the voice so thundering that it can be heard kilometers far away.

There are several sites of war heritage about Vietnamese revolution under the French colonial time includes Pac Bo, Coc Bo Cave, Lenin Stream, and Khuoi Nam Stream where Uncle Ho had lived and worked before the August 1945 Revolution.

As other moutainous areas in Vietnam, Cao Bang is home to many ethnic groups as Tay, Nung, H’Mong, San Chay, Dao,… and more than 11 groups whose populaion is over 50 people. This brings a diversity in culture , a lot of traditional festivals which contain specific characteristics of ethnic groups : Long Tong Festival, Inviting the-Moon-Mother Festival (Moi Me Trang).

Cao Bang Attractions

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc waterfall straddles the border between Vietnam and China. It is around 92km from the city of Cao Bang province in Vietnam. Ban Gioc is perhaps the most beautiful waterfall of the country, featuring three falls separated by trees and rocks.

It becomes particularly impressive in rainy season from May to September with strong flow of more than 30 metres and sound of falling water can be heard from afar. The waterfall also boasts gorgeous backdrop with lush vegetation and colorful flowers. It makes a perfect landscape painting created by nature.

Despite the Sino-Vietnamese border dispute having been settled, you still have to enquire permission of local authority (police) to visit Ban Gioc waterfall from Cao Bang. This can be easily arrnaged by tour or hotel.

Pac Bo

Pac Bo means “mouth of the source” in the local language. Pac Bo is a natural fortress, which was the shelter for Viet Minh soldiers during the Indochina war.

Pac Bo is a historically important place for the country which that marked the revolution 1941-1945. Indeed, after spending several years abroad, Ho Chi Minh lived here and led to the Revolution. From this place, Uncle Ho sent many guidelines to lead the country to the revolution of August 1945. Apart from its political past, Pac Bo is a region of marvelous natural beauty with mountains, forest and streams …

Nguom Ngao Cave

Nguom Ngao means “tiger’s cave” in the language of the local Tay ethnic minority. It is said that a long time ago, many fierce tigers sheltered in the cave and would enter the nearby village to hunt for livestock and even humans.

The main entrance to this cave is some 2km from Ban Gioc Waterfalls, just off the road to Cao Bang. Wonderful beauty of Nguom Ngao spreads the cavern. A British study in 1995 found the grotto to be 2,144 meters long, reaching heights of up to 60 m, with three main entrances namely Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom and Ban Thuon.

At its main entrance, you can feel the fresh, cool air from the natural mist inside. Nature has endowed the cave with stone formations that look like human beings, trees, plants and mythical animals.

The cave was formed due to weathered process of limestone mountains by wind and water over a long time. Stepping in the cavern, you seem to see a miraculous world. From high stone cliffs, hanging wonderful sparkling seven-colored stalactites. Along the way are stalactites of all shapes that look like boats, cactus, forests, terraced rice fields – a symbol of mountainous region of Vietnam and poles and valleys that are said to create a link between the earth and the heaven and a loving tie between men and women.

The nature is busy with its work over a long time to create attractive stone statues of which some look like human bodies, some look like forest trees, animals of fairy tales, or a fairy combing her hair, or a good divine, or a huge lotus bulb. Stalactites seem to grow from the soil, or hang down, vertical or horizontal with small and big figures piled and fixed in a hustle indulging visitors. The most impressive stalactites are those that form an upside-down lotus chandelier, which is nestled a little below the path, and the corners with figures featuring fairies with flowing long hair.

It takes about one hour to stroll around inside Nguom Ngao. Local people discovered Nguom Ngao in 1921, but the cave was not officially opened to tourists until 2006 when paths were built to lead visitors to many corners of the cave. Mains electricity is due to be installed, but it’s probably sensible to take a torch.

The cave is enormous (about 3km long) and one branch reaches almost all the way to the waterfalls, where there is a ‘secret’ entrance. Normally a guided tour will take about an hour and will only go about 400m into the cave; ask if you want to see more. The price remains the same, and a full tour takes about two hours.

Nguom Ngao has been recognized as a national relic. Without doubt, Nguom Ngao Cave and Ban Gioc Waterfalls are two must-see natural wonders in the northern province of Cao Bang.